It seems only fitting to kick off this report by unveiling our newest tagline (above), as this has been a year of looking and moving forward for our organization. We leapt into this year with a return to in-person programs and events, while carrying with us lessons and best practices learned from the pandemic. The return to in-person programs and events felt like a triumphant homecoming, a testament to our resilience in the face of adversity. In the pursuit of addressing the most pressing needs of our beloved region, we launched a series of forums. Each gathering was a crucible of ideas and shared purpose; the flames of hope burned brightly in these gatherings, illuminating our path forward.
In our relentless quest to empower leaders, we brought our leadership program participants into new spaces and issues, providing greater opportunities for growth and learning. It was a voyage of self-discovery, an odyssey of personal growth and civic issue awareness.
We shone a light on the leaders and organizations working tirelessly to make our region better. Their stories resonated with the heartbeat of our community, inspiring us all to reach higher and strive harder.
All the while, we were also hard at work on charting our path forward with a new strategic plan that fills our heart with boundless excitement. This blueprint is not just a document; it is the roadmap to our dreams, a testament to our unwavering commitment to leadership, and a pledge to elevate our reach, relevancy, and impact in our region.
However, let us not forget that our true impact lies in the 11,000+ alumni who take what they've learned in our programs and discussions out into our region, from their homes and schools to their workplaces and the community. Their actions ripple through the fabric of our region, leaving an indelible mark.
In this report, we have tried to highlight not only our work but the reach of these alumni.
With our new strategic plan as our guiding star, we are eager to forge ahead. We invite you to join us on this exhilarating journey to work on an enduring legacy of transformation. Let’s make our region shine brighter than ever before.

Dr. Yemi Akande-Bartsch
President & CEO
FOCUS St. Louis
Impact by the Numbers












Program Outcomes
251 leaders, ranging from high school juniors to CEOs, participated in our continuum of five leadership programs. As part of the evaluation process, we measured their outcomes in four key areas: relationship-building, collaborative leadership, civic understanding and civic readiness.
Educated

Connected

Inspired



Alumni Impact
Our impact does not end when leaders graduate from our FOCUS programs; it continues as they take what they have learned out into our region. We were excited to see our alumni step into many new leadership roles and opportunities this year; here are just a few of these.

Thank You to Our Supporters
The listing below reflects all membership and donation gifts recorded between July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023. If you have a question or need to make a change to how you are listed, please contact Kayla Dix at kaylad@focus-stl.org.
2022-23 Financials



Join Us On Our Journey Forward
With our new strategic plan guiding the way, we are ready to embark on the next phase of FOCUS, and we hope you will join us. There are many ways to show your support and get engaged.